1998 Dodge RAM 1500: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 30, 2018 · Steering, Transmission · 180,000 miles · NH

In motion the steering is very loose. The steering wheel will travel very often from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock and hopefully, I am still going straight. The truck will drift to the right and have to oversteer to get the truck in the travel lane. I replaced steering gear box, ball joints, tie rods, steering rod, track bar, rack, and pinion. This is an ongoing problem for a number of years. Transmission plastic part is broken so there has to be replaced.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Suspension · 115,920 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500 quad. The contact noticed that the front lower ball joints could not be lubed, causing the vehicle to make a loud scrapping noise when driving. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure who informed the contact that there were no recalls. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired for the failure. The current and failure mileage was 115,920.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · CA

I own a 1998 dodge ram 1500 4x4 pickup I was driving a friend and her daughter to the dentist I passed a logging truck when I got back in my lane as I was slowing down the truck shuddered and lost power I pulled off the road the only place I could pull off I hit it the was almost off the nut holding the tire rotor on the shaft snapped off the tow home was over 500 dollars after getting truck I broke out my shop manuals out the brg pack was burned I replaced from front differential out to tires with oem parts to the tune of 1100 dollars within a mth the left front tire came off as I was turning into my drive way again replaced from front differential out to tire this time cost about 850 6 mths latter coming home I feel front vibration hang on to wheel my drivers side front tire rotor caliper fly off I slide better part of 75 feet grinding off lower ball joint after being towed home looking at tire rim caliper rotor I decide to replace the entire front end cost of 650 dollars from a wrecking yard believe the problem front to light for weight also the viscosity of greese in brg pack to light breaking down causing brg to get hot and seize up causing tire rim caliper h rotor to fly off have saved all old parts.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Suspension · 51,018 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while pulling out from a stop and turning either right or left there was a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. Both front ball joints and pittman arm were replaced. There is the federal safety agency recall, # 04v596000, regarding the suspension: upper ball joints. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due year, model and VIN.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Steering · 45,000 miles · MI

Steering problems wondering needed new steering box rod and pin and tie rods on front also paint is all coming off.

Filed Sep 2, 2005 · Suspension · NC

Dt: the consumer owns a 1998 dodge ram pickup truck. He stated the bracket that holds the lower control arm on the right side broke. The dealer and the body shop said it looked like a defect in the metal. The body shop said the only proper way to fix it was to get a new frame. Chrysler said that because the car was out of warranty, they would not do anything about it.

Filed Aug 8, 2004 · Suspension · 27,000 miles · GA

Lower ball joints failed at 27000 miles. No fittings for grease.

Filed May 17, 2004 · Suspension · 67,000 miles · GA

Ball joint lubrication impossible; no grease fittings.

Filed Mar 16, 2004 · Suspension · 81,920 miles · MS

Premature lower ball joint failure in dodge ram 1500 . Truck has had unusual tire wear since 44k miles and dealer as well as tire shops found no explanation. Wheel bearings and tie rod ends were previously replaced at 68k miles by myself, with right side tie rod severely worn. I assumed the tie rod was the tire wear problem and did not have problems aligning front end until this february. Shortly thereafter, clunk in steering was evident, and handling became erratic. I carefully inspected front end and discovered right side lower ball joint worn to point where it was about to separate from socket. Left side joint is significantly worn as well. Looking back, the ball joints were wearing out at the 44k mile point. Vehicle is driven mainly on highway and in 30 years of driving and 9 vehicles this is the first one to have a ball joint failure in this manner after only 5 years of service. Research on my part has indicated that numerous dodge truck owners have this problem, onsetting in as little as 20k miles causing the same symptoms as my truck, and if I wasn't so meticulous in performing vehicle maintenance on my own this may well have resulted in a serious accident.

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · Suspension · PA

While driving 20 MPH vehicle vibrated from the front passenger side of the vehicle. Also, consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that right upper ball joint failed.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Suspension · 38,000 miles · LA

The vehicle's lower ball joints failed at 38,000 miles. The cause has yet to be determined. *nlm the consumer found that both the driver and passenger side lower ball joints were "greased out." the upper ball joint on the driver's side was out of suspension and greased out. *sc

Filed Jul 17, 2003 · Steering · 51,000 miles · MA

Consumer states that the vehicle is shaking and shimmering due to defective tie rod ends. Dealer has been contacted.